Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre[1] that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads.[2] The blues form, ubiquitous in jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll is characterized by specific chord progressions, of which the twelve-bar blues chord progression is the most common. The blue notes that, for expressive purposes are sung or played flattened or gradually bent (minor 3rd to major 3rd) in relation to the pitch of the major scale, are also an important part of the sound. (Wikipedia)

Here is an assortment of earlier practitioners of this emotional music. I have avoided the lone performer in favor of a richer sound consisting of a backup band. All are exceptional.

There are songs that an artist makes his/her own. Then there are covers that sometimes exceed the original.

Albert King was the originator of record of this tune. It is an especially emotional, gut-grabbing blues song, but that may be a bit of hyperbole since blues is all about emotional, "making you feel"' music. Each of these covers pays tribute to the original, as they should, but add a flavor all their own. Morblus (especially) and Karen Carroll are examples.

Stormy Monday Blues. That's what I'll be singing tomorrow after long weekend. Great music ATyp. Thank you.

Heard this song on radio, Roy Orbison and his incredible voice. These are some of my favorites of his, brings up a lot of feelings hearing them again. But then again I guess that's what listening to music is all about.

When I first considered adding this selection, Rachid, to the thread, I researched, among other things, Wilby Fletcher, the drummer. I learned he was a prodigy and played with big names in jazz in his teens. He died not long ago.

Whenever I watch this, which is often, I am struck by his playing. His style in this piece defines "crisp" in relation to drum work. He's great and his sound adds immeasurably to the overall magnificence of the tune.

I sometimes post in this thread and hesitate to add too many selections of a particular artist. I trust listeners to evaluate for themselves and to explore if they choose.

With regard to this brilliant talent, I feel that this may not be the right thing to do. Perhaps, a new sound will motivate an appreciation where a prior one did not. This, then, is the hope for these additions and for those above dated 11/18.

As I mentioned in an earlier post some music should be really listened to not just used for background or in a hurried taste. These selections, and others from M. Petrucciani, qualify for that treatment. If that's done, like a mature wine you let air for a while, it will repay you in great measure because you will hear things you didn't notice the first or second time you listened.

I sincerely hope you like these as well as the many other performances by this talented musician.

(11/21) A playful arrangement of a standard, doing what jazz does frequently, adding parts of another song to the interpretation of the original piece; also done in Round Midnight above. See if you can find it.

His music has taught me that I still have something to learn about jazz piano. I am grateful but wish he was still alive so that I could tell him personally.

9/9/14

Perhaps a glass of wine and a quiet room would be appropriate while contemplating this selection by the brilliant Michel Petrucciani. The unchanging still photo does not bore. There is much to see in it.

When I decided to learn more I became affected by his talent and hard life. It's tough, for me, to only evaluate his music and ignore his infirmity, but I don’t think I err when I say how great he was. I also want others to know him which is why he is in the thread.

I’ll use this new opportunity and encourage others to learn more about him.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Major Harris, a former member of the "Philadelphia sound" soul group the Delfonics and the singer of the 1975 hit "Love Won't Let Me Wait," has died in Richmond. He was 65.

His sister, Catherine Thomas, told The Associated Press that Harris passed away Friday morning from congestive heart and lung failure after being rushed to a hospital.

The Richmond native was born Feb. 9, 1947, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a guitarist and his mother led the church choir, Thomas said.

In his teens, Harris was tall for his age and was able to get into clubs to watch musicians perform, she said.

"He always appeared to be older, which gave him a lot of ins to a lot of older places," Thomas joked.

She said he didn't drink in the clubs back then but was pursuing his career. Music, she said, "was his life."

Harris made the rounds with several music groups in the 1960s, including the Charmers, Frankie Lymon's Teenagers and Nat Turner's Rebellion.

He then joined the Delfonics in the early 1970s, replacing Randy Cain in the group known for their hits "La-La (Means I Love You)" and "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)."

Harris left the group in 1974 to pursue a solo career. He recorded a string of R&B singles, including "Love Won't Let Me Wait," which peaked at No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified as a gold record by the Recording Industry Association of America. The song was covered by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams in 1994 and by Luther Vandross on his 1988 album "Any Love."

Harris last performed in 2011 at a reunion show with some of the members of the Delfonics, Thomas said.

Music from this period should not be dismissed. This post is a 'mile-marker'.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) — Bobby Rogers, a founding member of Motown group The Miracles and a songwriting collaborator with Smokey Robinson, died Sunday at his suburban Detroit home. He was 73.

Motown Museum board member Allen Rawls said Rogers died about 6 a.m. in Southfield. Rogers had been ill for several years.

Rogers formed the group in 1956 with cousin Claudette Rogers, Pete Moore, Ronnie White and Robinson. Their hits included "Shop Around," ''You've Really Got a Hold on Me," ''The Tracks of My Tears," ''Going to a Go-Go," ''I Second That Emotion" and "The Tears of a Clown."

"He had the sparkling personality that was loved by everyone," Claudette Robinson told the Detroit Free Press. "People always commented on the tall one with the glasses. He was personable, approachable and he loved talking to the women, loved talking to the guys, loved to dance, loved to sing, loved to perform. That was the joy of his life."

His voice can be heard on Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," with Rogers saying, "It's just a groovy party, man, I can dig it." Mary Wilson of the Supremes said that captured his essence.

"If people want to remember him, they should put that record on and listen to Bobby," Wilson told the newspaper. "That's who he was."

Rogers and The Miracles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. He was too ill to attend the ceremony.

He shared songwriting credits with Robinson on The Temptations' "The Way You Do the Things You Do," The Contours' "First I Look at the Purse" and The Miracles' "Going to a Go-Go."

This is a beautiful tune performed by a superb band with Vinnie on drums. Watch for the musician who plays two instruments at once. This is a must-see in a room with perfect lighting, an attentive audience and interesting music.